Lara & Sahil
Things To Do
National Mall
The National Mall is home to iconic monuments and memorials, including the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument. At the eastern end is the U.S. Capitol, and the the White House is to the north. It's also flanked by the Smithsonian museums so it's a good one-stop-shop for a day of tourism.
National Zoo
The National Zoo is one of the oldest zoos in the US, it's always free of charge, and it's open every day of the year! It's located in the Woodley Park neighborhood, and it's home to animals like lions, tigers, and panda bears! If you have kids you're visiting with, this is a good activity they're sure to love.
United States National Arboretum
Established in 1927 by an act of Congress, the Arboretum aims to increase the aesthetic, environmental and economic importance of landscape and ornamental plants. The gorgeous, 446-acre property makes for an inspiring and visually captivating visit at any time of the year. No discussion of the Arboretum is complete without mentioning the National Capitol Columns. The permanent installation features 22 Corinthian columns that supported the east portico of the U.S. Capitol when it was built in 1828. Once the dome of the Capitol was completed in 1864, builders realized that the columns were not properly constructed to support the dome, creating an odd and unsettling visual. The strange aesthetic was not solved until 1958, and it took until the 1980s for the columns to find their resting place on the Ellipse Meadow in the Arboretum. Now, the site of the columns serves as one of the most beautiful (and Instagram-worthy) sights in the nation’s capital.
Annapolis Waterfront
One of the most historic cities in the country is Annapolis Maryland. Annapolis, which was established in 1696, is the capital of the state. It is a city full of mouth-watering cuisine, luxurious accommodations, and many fun-filled activities for the whole family. It is home to the oldest State House in continuous operation. The waterfront area is a chief attraction to the city and an important part of the local culture. There are many things to do around the Annapolis waterfront. Most of the popular tourist's attractions are located in the downtown area of the city: The United States Naval Academy — There is a relatively new visitors center with great exhibits. It is located on the Annapolis Harbor and commands a wonderful view of downtown Annapolis and Eastport. City Dock: Located on the waterfront and in the center of the historic district, city dock is where much of the Annapolis shopping, dining, and exploring activity is centered.
Georgetown, DC
If you like shopping, Georgetown is the place to go! That said, shopping isn’t the only thing to do in Georgetown. Washington, DC's oldest neighborhood is full of charm, Michelin-approved restaurants, fantastic events for the whole family and plenty of scenic views. Pick your adventure – from the exciting waterfront all the way up to Book Hill – and get exploring in this centuries-old part of the District.
Busboys and Poets
Providing a full-service restaurant, bar, coffee shop, and bookstore, Busboys and Poets is a place to take a deliberate pause and feed your mind, body, and soul. It's a DC staple, and it's hands down our favorite spot. We typically stop in for dinner, a drink, and to peruse the bookstore.
Ted's Bulletin
We'd argue this is the best brunch spot in DC. It's the perfect mixture of swanky brunch dining and southern comfort. When you go, be sure to get a few (or a dozen) of their homemade pop tarts!
Open City
Open City is another bedrock breakfast and brunch spot in the Woodley Park neighborhood. While the brunch is good — another regular brunch stop for us — we really come here for their famous (and delicious) Chaipuccino coffee drink. In fact, it's so good that Lara almost always takes a picture of her drink to commemorate the moment.
La Colombe Coffee Roasters
If you're skeptical about giving Open City's Chaipuccino a shot, and you're still in search of caffeine while in the nation's capital, head down to La Colombe — a specialty coffee roaster dedicated to making your coffee life better. It doesn't matter what you get here because everything is delicious. It's admittedly hard to find — it's in an back alley — but it's so worth the hunt for the caffeinated goodness you get at the end.
Cantler's Riverside Inn
There are plenty of other things to check out in Annapolis, but we'd be remiss if we didn't focus on somewhere you can get Maryland Blue Crab. Cantler's is a riverfront crab house that supplies you with everything needed for the full Maryland crab feast experience — hammer, brown paper picnic table, and all!
Baltimore Inner Harbor
If you're interested in checking out what Baltimore has to offer, we'd recommend focusing your time in Baltimore's Inner Harbor. The Inner Harbor has everything from scenic waterfront views to restaurants and spectacular museums. It's also a great place to take a walk and look at all the historic ships that live in the harbor.